News Releases from Region 2

EPA Provides Funding to Protect Wetlands in New York; Nearly 750,000 Awarded for Wetlands Research

(New York, N.Y.) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded nearly $750,000 to the City of New York and the Research Foundation of the State University of New York to help better protect wetlands in the city and throughout New York.

“By absorbing rain and waters from melting snow, and by filtering runoff that pollutes local waterways, wetlands reduce many of the effects of climate change,” said EPA Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck. “At a time when we are seeing storms of increased strength such as Hurricane Sandy, it is now more important than ever to do what we can to preserve and enhance these resources. This EPA funding will enhance the ability to assess New York State’s wetlands and evaluate their vulnerability.”

The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation has received $222,956 from the EPA to assess New York City’s tidal marshes and evaluate their vulnerability to sea level rise. The Parks Department will also evaluate the potential for salt marshes to move inland due to rising sea levels. New York City Parks Department will use the funding to determine which marshes and wetlands are most likely to be damaged by rising salt water and will develop recommendations to restore and protect these areas. New York City will contribute $187,000 towards the total cost of this project.

The Research Foundation of the State University of New York at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, New York will use a $500,000 grant to develop a field manual that will be used to assess the condition of wetlands throughout New York State. The university will conduct field evaluations of wetland conditions at over 100 sites, and an analysis of land uses surrounding the wetlands. The State University of New York will contribute $209,060 towards this project’s total cost and will work with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York State Department of Transportation on this project.

Since 1990, EPA’s Wetland Program Development Grants have provided financial assistance to help build or refine state and local government wetland programs. These funds provide opportunities for states to conduct research and help build the science behind comprehensive wetlands programs at the state level. Recipients of these grants are required to contribute a minimum of 25 percent of the cost of the project.